What we learned from Patriots' bounce-back win over Saints

The New England Patriots may not be as good as initially expected. They’re not a 19-0 team. But they’re still an excellent squad.

Despite injuries to Julian Edelman, Dont’a Hightower, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski, Eric Rowe and others, the Patriots managed to win, 36-20, against Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans.

The Saints may end up being a complete mess in terms of their final record this season. But they’re only slouches in the passing game. Tom Brady, predictably, made them pay for that weakness, and finished with 447 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Here’s what we learned from the win.

1. Tom Brady is still the NFL’s best quarterback

He had a rough Week 1 against the Chiefs, who looked like they boasted one of the best secondaries in the NFL (before Eric Berry got hurt). He absolutely dominated the Saints, who look like they may have the NFL’s worst secondary. But Week 2 was far more indicative of what’s to come in Brady’s 2017 season.

He just needs the medical tent to stop serving as a clown car for his favorite pass catchers.

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2. Deatrich Wise is a monster

The rookie defensive end recorded his second sack in as many games in Week 2. He’s not yet a full-time player, as he’s still got some weaknesses on run defense. He played 48 percent of snaps against the Saints, and finished with five quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss.

The 2017 fourth round pick quickly won the hearts of the coaches in training camp. He’s in no danger of losing their favor after two weeks into his young career.

3. Rex Burkhead quietly efficient in limited role

Burkhead didn’t play a huge role in Week 1, but seemed to be a much bigger part of the Patriots’ game plan for Week 2. A rib injury may have derailed what would have been a big game for the newcomer.

Even though he’s played just 18 snaps for the Patriots this season, he’s got five carries for 18 yards and four receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. He’s averaging 3.72 yards per snap. For context, LeSean McCoy is averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season.

4. Patriots cornerback situation is fluid

Malcolm Butler was not among the starters for Week 2. Coincidence his demotion comes in the week against the New Orleans Saints, who showed interest in him during restricted free agency? Probably.

With so many long Saints receivers, the Patriots started Eric Rowe, who had and up-and-down day before suffering a groin injury. Butler then came in and replaced Rowe. The Patriots concerns about Butler were realized, as he got beaten for a Brandon Coleman touchdown.

Rowe’s injury also moved Jon Jones into a more prominent role, in which he excelled with two hugely important pass breakups. The Patriots will likely continue to use their four cornerbacks as a platoon, which could create some unpredictability.

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5. Brandin Cooks a bit too quiet

He finished the game with two receptions for 37 yards. He got targeted four times. Rookie Marshon Lattimore seemed to play strong, aggressive coverage on Cooks. His lackluster performance wouldn’t be a concern if he didn’t have just five receptions in a Patriots uniform. Sure, he managed 88 yards in Week 1. But his production hasn’t matched the hype.

Was the hype unfair?

Phillip Dorsett, on the other hand, is starting to get it. After roughly two weeks with the team, Dorsett out produced Cooks with three receptions for 68 yards and one rush for eight yards. His progress will be worth monitoring. If he can contribute, the Patriots could move Hogan into the slot in a more significant way. That would alleviate Danny Amendola’s workload to help prevent him from suffering more injuries.

6. The injuries will impact production

Brady was best in the first quarter when he threw for three touchdown passes, the most he’s thrown for in a first quarter during his career. As the injuries piled up, the Patriots let off the gas slightly. They had to adapt their offense away from the original game plan. Burkhead went down. Then Hogan started dealing with injuries. Then Gronk. Then Dorsett.

Bill Belichick is a mastermind and Josh McDaniels is gifted. But they can only do so much with so little. The Patriots will need their offensive players to get healthy again. Gronk’s groin injury served as a pertinent reminder that, after Julian Edelman’s injury, this offense is delicate.

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